Springman Middle School collects cash to help blood cancer victims

Pennies for Patients fundraiser to go through Friday

March 04, 2013|By Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune reporter

Glenview's Springman Middle School students, who are part of the school's Builder's Club, pose with their collection boxes, which they use for gathering change, on Monday, Feb. 25. The students are participaing in a three-week fundraiser that benefits children with blood cancer. (Alexandra Chachkevitch, Chicago Tribune)

Glenview's Springman Middle School students have been collecting coins and cash to help children affected by blood cancer.

The three-week fundraiser, called Pennies for Patients, will last until Friday. Proceeds will go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which helps children with cancer and benefits cancer research.

The students collected about $800 in the first week, surpassing the results of the first week of the previous year, said Jessica Lenser, a teacher who helped organize the event.

"We were very excited about this year," Lenser said.

In their first time participating, Springman Middle School students raised about $6,000 last year, finishing sixth among 750 schools.

Lenser and others decided to be part of the fundraiser because of how personal it is, she said.

"We help to make a difference, and students love to hear that," said Lenser, who added that the leukemia society contacted the school last year asking for participation.

After last year's fundraiser, the organization updated students on the child whom their donations helped.

The fundraiser, the biggest the school puts on, is organized through its Builder's Club, a student-led community service group.

Each student gets a small yellow box to collect donations and empties it at the end of every week. Besides collecting change, students also sell Leukemia and Lymphoma Society bracelets for a dollar.

Lenser said if the school surpasses or matches its $6,000 goal, school officials will allow the students to do their own "Harlem Shake" video, a current viral YouTube clip set to fast music. The homeroom that collects the most money will have a pasta party, which is sponsored by Olive Garden, Lenser said.

"It feels really great being able to give back," said eighth-grader Dulcie Jones, 14. "It's something to be proud of."

Dulcie, a member of the Builder's Club, said she likes to spread the word about the fundraiser and hopes the school does even better than last year.